A popular seafood restaurant in Plymouth has expanded its horizons by introducing a vegan menu - including fish and chips that look and taste almost identical to the real thing.

The Harbour Seafood Restaurant and Takeaway, has created a three-course vegan menu which is set to be a hit for all non meat-eaters who visit its fantastic location on the Barbican.

Formerly known as The Glass Blowing House, The Harbouris a modern restaurant perched right on Sutton Harbour's quay front and has had a complete makeover to create a welcoming environment for families, couples, and those with a variety of dietary requirements.

Owner, Phil Thompson believes that business will boom with the help of a vegan menu

The Harbour offers delicious menu choices for vegetarians and vegans, as well as a number of gluten-free options. Now, the restaurant has created a thrilling twist on one of the nation's favourite dishes with its vegan fish and chips.

The new creations have been dreamt up by a team that is led by talented head chef Ovidiu Aneculaesei, who has been working in the industry for nine years.

The tantalising three-course dinner will consist of calamari, fish and chips and a vegan ice cream for dessert.

Calamari made of mushroom

The Harbour's owner, Phil Thompson, says: "Anything on our menu can be made gluten-free and now we have the three-course vegan meal, so that those who are vegan can come along with their group of friends and not feel restricted or as if they're missing out in any way.

"I've got a few vegan friends and it seems to be one of the fastest-growing diets of the last twenty years - it's certainly huge in London!"

Even before its launch, the menu has already proved popular with non meat-eaters.

Phil says: "We thought, 'Why not give it a go?', after friends asked when we were going to start catering for them. We tried a few dishes and came across the banana blossom for the fish.

"It has a fish-like texture and fries white when you batter it, and if you closed your eyes you'd probably say it tastes somewhere between hake and skate.

"A few of our vegan friends have tried it already and say they really like it, and they were impressed by how it looks almost identical to the real thing."

Head chef, Ovidiu Aneculaesei whips up a storm in The Harbour kitchen (Image: Penny Cross)

Depending on the popularity and excitement around the dishes from the three-course menu, the team would consider expanding vegan options further so that people have even more choice. Phil estimates that more than 10 per cent of the restaurant's sales could come from the new vegan menu if it proves a success.

"We have got some plans for some new vegan dishes – including homemade vegan fishcakes and vegan sausages – but we will have to see how well this goes. There is room for expansion as we have the capabilities in our kitchen," he says. "We've had more interest from that one Facebook post about the new menu than we have from any other post, so it's looking promising. We’re just trying to tick every box really."

The Harbour already has a fantastic reputation for delicious food and has the freshest seafood anywhere in the city. Indeed, the lobster and locally-caught fish comes off the boats right in front of the restaurant.

Inside The Harbour Seafood Restaurant and Takeaway on the Barbican

Herald reporter Charlotte Gosling, a meat-eater, went along to try the menu out for herself. Here's her verdict...

Starter - Salt and pepper squid

Oyster mushrooms, fried in The Harbour's own vegan batter with spring onions and red and green chillies - £8

The delicious salt and pepper squid for starters (Image: Penny Cross)

I love calamari - all day, everyday - so I was excited to try this twist on my favourite starter. First impressions were excellent as the dish looked exactly like something I'd order 90 per cent of the time when I go out, and I would never guess that this was not the real thing.

From the first bite I fell in love. Although having almost the same texture as calamari, it didn't quite have the strong fish flavour that the dish normally delivers, but this didn't matter one bit. To me, the calamari - which is actually made of mushroom - packed a punch of prawn flavour.

I couldn't get enough of the chilli sauce dip on the side and, despite getting a lot on my plate, for once I didn't feel uncomfortably full before tucking into my main course!

Main meal - Fish and chips

Banana blossom fried in The Harbour's own vegan batter, marinated with seaweed and samphire. This dish is served with a vegan egg-free tartare sauce - £12

The vegan fish and chips looks just like the nation's favourite dish!

Bizarrely, the plant-based 'fish' meal I had before me had the texture of pulled chicken and looked and tasted just like skate. As I tucked in, I realised that it wasn't a heavy dish like fish often can be. and it had a subtle flavour which I have to say I preferred to the often-overwhelming fish flavour you sometimes get in restaurants.

Once you have got used to the unusual texture, you find yourself enjoying the light, almost fragrant flavour with the slight aftertaste of the fishy dish we all crave on sunny weekends. Mixed with the crispy chips - I questioned everything I thought I knew about being vegan. With all this choice and not having to miss out on my favourites, what have I got to lose?

And what can we say about the side of tartare sauce other than that it was a delight? I would go as far as to say it was even an improvement on the sauce we all know and love.

Overall I was impressed - despite being a meat-eater who could pass for a vegetarian when she's not eating the occasional chicken leg, sausage or bacon sarnie, I could see myself happily ordering and tucking into this on an evening out with friends.

You'll find The Harbour Seafood Restaurant and Takeaway at 21 Sutton Harbour, The Barbican, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 2LS. Its opening times are Monday to Sunday, 11.30am to 9.30pm, and for more details please call 01752 228556, email info@harbourbarbican.co.uk or click here to visit the website.